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Rally Against Social Security Privatization Hundreds rallied in D.C. today to criticize the Bush administration?s drive to privatize Social Security and offer other solutions.Ellen Ratner reports from D.C. Egyptian Elections Called Sham Thousands protested in Egypt today calling President Hosni Mubarak?s election reforms a ?masquerade.?Late last month, Mubarak said the country would hold their first presidential election with more than one candidate. This weekend the Parliament approved the... Topics: bush, elections, india, iraq, lebanon

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The United Nation?s Human Rights Commission has voted to condemn a number of countries for violations of its? principles. In Geneva, the 53-member nation group passed a resolution condemning the lack of democratic reform by the military junta in Burma. They also condemned the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the construction of additional settlements in the West Bank. Continuing a 6-year tradition, the United States also put forth and secured approval of a condemnation of... Topics: california, elections, iraq, israel, kurds, military, palestine, rebellion, rights, turkey,...

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CLUSTER BOMBS AND FOOD PACKETS 3:26 The World Food Program warned today its only been able to deliver eight percent of food aid urgently needed to sustain half a million starving Afghans through the looming winter. They are the most desperate of more than six million Afghans dependant on international aid but the World Food Program says even the luckier ones -- about two million people -- have enough food to last just one month. Meantime, Pentagon radio broadcasts into Afghanistan warn... Topics: 9-11, afghanistan, china, courage, immigration, india, israel, mexico, military, palestine, pentagon

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FONT FACE="Arial"Download MP3 file of the last story, it's lead and the out ISRAEL BOMBS OCCUPIED TERRITORIES Israel used bombs and missiles Tuesday to pressure Yasser Arafat to move against Palestinian militants, striking just yards from the Palestinian leader's West Bank offices and in the Gaza Strip. Two Palestinians were killed and about 150 were injured in the attacks.Verna Avery Brown speaks with Peretz Kidron in Jerruselem about the latest developments. A DEAL FOR THE FUTURE OF... Topics: 9-11, afghanistan, dance, india, islam, israel, pakistan, palestine, washington

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SPECIAL EDITION OF FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS -- INTERVIEW WITH ARUNDATI ROY Arundhati Roy is author of the Booker-Prize winning God of Small Things. She spoke with Correspondent Sputnik Kilambi about her article below, published by the Guardian of London, but rejected by every major US daily newspaper. ======================================================= 'Brutality Smeared in Peanut Butter' by Arundati Roy As darkness deepened over Afghanistan on Sunday October 7 2001, the US government, backed... Topics: 9-11, EU, UN, USSR, afghanistan, biological weapons, bush, cheney, china, communism, dance, death...

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Israeli Troops Shoot Unarmed Peace Observers Earlier this morning listeners of Pacifica station WBAI in New York city awoke to chilling sounds from the streets of the Bietshalla refugee camp in Bethlehem. WBAI?s morning show, Wake Up Call, had connected live to an Italian photo journalist with the Italian Independent Media Center who identified himself as Manolo. He is part of the delegation of foreigners that are currently in the occupied territories as Human Shields against the Israeli... Topics: UN, bush, california, elections, iraq, israel, military, palestine, protest, scotus, unions

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Israeli Army Kills Italian Journalist (3:54) The Israeli government continues the largest ground offensive in Palestinian controlled areas of the West Bank and the Gaza in two decades. The Palestinian Authority says a ceasefire would be impossible as long as Israeli forces were in Palestinian areas. This just hours after the UN passed a resolution calling for a recognized Palestinian state alongside Israel. The US-sponsored resolution also calls for an immediate cease-fire in the... Topics: afghanistan, bush, dance, elections, environment, islam, israel, military, palestine, rights,...

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RECORD PROFITS FOR SHELL The Anglo-Dutch oil company, Shell, today announced record profits for a British company. Consumer groups are calling on the government to implement a windfall tax. From London, Naomi Fowler reports: Shell's reported profits of almost 23 billion dollars isn't far off 3 million dollars an hour. Most of that came from oil and gas extraction and strongly benefited from the rising cost of crude oil. It's great news for shareholders, say campaigners, but it's very bad news... Topics: EU, bush, china, ethnic, france, heart disease, india, iran, mexico, military, nuclear power, oil,...

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Iraq Seeks Allies- Bush Drums Up Support (3:43) Congress today restarted hearings into the issue of whether to widen the US war in Iraq. The White House says it doesn't need congressional approval to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.But President Bush sent members of his cabinet to Capitol Hill today to drum up support for a wider war.Iraq says it has no weapons of mass destruction program, and that the White House is spreading lies.In case of a U-S attack, Iraq is calling on the greater Arab... Topics: 9-11, bush, civil disobediance, elections, iraq, israel, palestine, protest, rights, saddam hussein

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Iraqi Referendum on Saddam Iraqi lined up to vote this morning in a referendum for which sitting President Saddam Hussein is the sole candidate for another seven year term. Nearly 12 million Iraqis are eligible to vote in today?s referendum and Iraqi officials say they expect 100% approval. The last referendum in 1995 resulted in 99.96% of the population voting yes. While the U.S. has indicated that it has plans to install an American military government in Iraq once Hussein is toppled, the... Topics: argentina, brazil, elections, iraq, military, saddam hussein

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Rebuilding Iraq ? US Style (3:06) The Pentagon says the major military operations are winding down in Iraq, and their attention now turns to rebuilding the country. The United Nations hasn't been invited to the party, and some Iraqis are protesting the unilateral process of choosing leaders for their embattled nation. While the Bush Administration suggests Syria could be the next target, Josh Chaffin reports. From the Ground in Baghdad Baghdad's National Library burned yesterday, destroying... Topics: UN, bush, elections, environment, iraq, mexico, military, palestine, pentagon, washington

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The United States Senate passed the Medicare bill critics claim leads to the privatization of medical provisions for the nation?s senior citizens. President Bush promises to sign the bill into law that carries a much sought after measure to cover prescription drugs. Many agree if not seniors, the bill will surely help drug manufacturers and insurance companies who helped create and heavily lobbied for the bill. The U.S. Congress struck a deal with White House officials that would allow media... Topics: bush, california, elections, environment, india, medicare, pakistan, protest

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Steel Tariffs ? John Hamilton The White House is preparing to announce a complete repeal on tariffs charged to imported steel. John Hamilton has the story. Colorado Redistricting ? Patrick Nayliss The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in a gerrymandering case that may have national implications. Patrick Nayliss reports form Denver. UC Strikes ? Vanessa Tait Graduate student employees at the University of California?s 9 campuses statewide are set to strike this week over what they say are... Topics: FEMA, argentina, bush, california, detainees, disease, drug companies, elections, environment,...

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Second Mad Cow Identified A second cow in Washington State has been diagnosed with mad cow disease and quarantined. Officials say how the cows got the disease bovine spongiform encephalopathy will likely take months. Humans eating meat from infected cows can get the fatal brain wasting illness known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Since 1997, the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of feeding cows the tissue of other infected cows, a suspected cause of the breakout in England during the... Topics: EU, bush, christmas, coca-cola, disease, elections, france, india, iraq, islam, israel, military,...

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US Military Team to Haiti Pentagon officials have granted the U.S. Ambassador?s request for a military team to assess the situation in Haiti.Reportedly, the Ambassador merely wants the small team of 3 or 4 officers to decide if the embassy is safe in the Caribbean nation fraught with internal violence.Earlier this week, Secretary of State Colin Powell said the U.S. is looking for a political solution to the crisis.Bands of men, described as everything from paramilitaries to thugs, claim the... Topics: bush, disease, elections, environment, france, india, iran, iraq, islam, military,...

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A leading Colombian human rights group reported this morning that the country's war displaced fewer civilians from their homes last year but that conditions for the nation's 3 million internal refugees have worsened. Chip Mitchell reports from Bogot. Anti-Semitism is on the rise in Europe according to yet another human rights reprot. Naomi Fowler has more from London. Troops have been dispersed throughout Sri Lanka today in preparation for tomorrow?s elections. Ponniah Manikavassagam reports... Topics: 9-11, EU, bush, california, elections, india, iraq, military, rights, washington

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The Baghdad office of the Arab world?s primary news service Al-Jazeera was shut down for 30 days by the U.S. installed Iraqi government. Iraq?s Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib said the government is trying to bring order to the nation and blames the news agency for encouraging dissent and violence. On their web site, Al-Jazeera says the action is totally against promises made for free speech and openness in Iraq. In 2002, Saddam Hussein also closed the news agency?s Baghdad office. The editor... Topics: UN, bush, elections, india, iran, iraq, nigeria, nuclear weapons, pentagon, rights, saddam hussein,...

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19 Palestinians are now dead in what some are calling the worst Israeli invasion into the occupied territories since 1967. Dozens of Israeli tanks and hundreds of troops are moving through the refugee camp in Rafah. An Israeli military officer says ?Operation Rainbow? is to seek out and destroy tunnels that run from Egypt into Gaza, used in part to transport weapons. The army sealed off Rafah and the streets were deserted today. Reportedly, gunfire could be heard non-stop throughout the camp.... Topics: bush, california, drug companies, india, iraq, israel, military, nicaragua, palestine, protest,...

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French Workers Protest Privitization Electrical supply-workers protesting in France cut power to the country homes of some government ministers and the headquarters of the employers' federation as parliament debated the partial privatization of their publicly owned company. Tony Cross reports from Paris. Bush's Foreign Policy Challenged by Former Leaders Former military leaders and diplomats are challenging the dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy under the current Bush adminstration. Nicolas... Topics: 9-11, NATO, al-qaeda, bush, california, campaign finance, france, halliburton, india, iraq,...

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As many as 300-thousand people many undocumented immigrants, are expected to have their driver?s licenses suspended in New York State. Leigh Ann Caldwell has the story from WBAI in New York. Today an African couple in Houston fought for custody of their infant son against a Texas lawmaker. KFPT's Alistair Omari reports from the courthouse. The Senate in Nigeria has approved President Obasanjo's request to send more than 15-hundred troops to Sudan's western Darfur region. Sam Olukoya reports... Topics: EU, argentina, attorney general, bush, environment, hamas, iraq, military, nigeria, palestine,...

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Philippine Troops Leave Iraq Today, troops from the Philippines started to leave Iraq.U.S. and Australian officials have criticized the move saying the Philippine government is caving into pressure by terrorists.A Filipino man, Angelo de la Cruz is being held hostage in Iraq.His captors say they will execute him unless the Philippines withdraws the 50 people from Iraq who are mostly engaged in ?humanitarian? assistance.Spain, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras have already decided... Topics: NGO, bush, epidemic, iraq, israel, military, nicaragua, torture, unions

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Recounts Around the Nation Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb filed official requests for a presidential ballot recount in New Mexico and Nevada. As in Ohio, Libertarian candidate Michael Badnarik joined him.Today a hand recount of New Hampshire ballots wrapped up. In New Hamshire, Avishay Artsy has the story. Supreme Court to Determine How Far Title IX Reaches The U.S. Supreme Court will decide if someone reporting gender discrimination is as equally protected as those who are being... Topics: 9-11, UN, bush, california, death penalty, france, immigration, mexico, military, rights, rumsfeld,...

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Dems and Repubs in FL Call Foul Democrats and Republicans are accusing each other of voter fraud in Florida. State Republican Party officials say they are merely making sure that only legal voters are voting. Democrats counter that by saying Republicans are using scare tactics to keep voter turnout low, especially in minority communities that traditionally vote Democratic. The head of the state?s Division of Elections is being called in to resolve the disputes and avoid longer lines on Tuesday.... Topics: EU, attorney general, bush, democratic party, elections, halliburton, iraq, israel, john kerry,...

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The Palestinian Foreign Minister said Yasser Arafat was in critical condition but his brain, heart and lungs are still functioning, dispelling some reports that Arafat has died. Nabil Shaath went to the Paris hospital with other members of the Palestinian leadership to get first hand information about Arafat?s health. Colombia?s right leaning President Uribe wants to change the national constitution so he can run for office again while making a pipeline deal with Venezuela?s leftist president.... Topics: bush, detainees, elections, environment, federal government, global warming, halliburton, iraq,...

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Palestinian Security Heads to Northern Gaza Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is testing his leadership today as he sends in security forces to the northern Gaza Strip. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say they will continue to defy the occupation by the Israeli military. A spokesman from Hamas has said however that they will cease rocket and mortar launches while they are talking with representatives from the Palestinian Authority. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon agreed to give Abbas time to resolve... Topics: EU, brazil, bush, cheney, china, hamas, islam, israel, japan, jihad, mexico, military,...

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Barghouti To Run After All Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti has decided to run for the position of Palestinian President. His wife submitted the formal papers for her husband's candidacy to the Central Election Commission in Ramallah today. Adding to the electoral turmoil, Hamas announced its intention to boycott the January 9th elections. If Hamas' tens of thousands of supporters abide by the boycott, it could undercut the legitimacy of the vote. The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade has already... Topics: UN, bush, death penalty, disease, elections, france, hamas, immigration, iraq, mexico, palestine,...

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CT Closer to Same Sex Unions State supported same-sex unions may be legal in Connecticut soon. The proposal, which has moved out of a legislative committee, will create civil unions for gays and lesbians but stops short of granting marriage licenses. Political analysts say the bill has bipartisan support in the legislature and at the moment looks like it will pass before they let out in June. Republican Governor M. Jodi Rell says that she wants to review the language before she comments on... Topics: UN, WTO, afghanistan, bush, drug companies, ethnic, halliburton, india, individuality, iraq,...

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There have been verifiable incidents of what US Brigadier General Jay Hood describes as "mishandling" of the Qur'an at the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.(TAPE 0:30) Hood added that none of the official's actions were in violation of the military's code for handling the Muslim holy book.A Newsweek article that reported earlier this month about the desecration of the Qur'an led to protests around the world.White House officials quickly called the report "inaccurate." Today... Topics: EU, UN, bush, california, democratic party, elections, environment, france, islam, military,...

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VP Keeps Secret Notes Secret A federal appeals court struck another blow to the lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club and Judicial Watch to obtain meeting minutes from Vice President Dick Cheney?s Energy Task Force.The court sided with the Vice President ruling that "There is nothing to indicate that nonfederal employees had a right to vote on committee matters or exercise a veto over committee proposals."The two advocacy groups had tried to obtain the notes and minutes from the meetings... Topics: NATO, algeria, bush, cheney, courage, death penalty, elections, environment, france, hijack,...

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Millions Prepare for Pope's Death One point one billion Catholics and millions of others are preparing for the death of Pope John Paul II. Crowds continue to gather in St. Peter?s Square praying for the 84-year old pontiff. For 26 years, John Paul II has been a stalwart speaker on behalf of the poor and against the death penalty. He has also been credited with participating in the downfall of Communism in Eastern Europe. The leading policy maker for the church, John Paul II has been an... Topics: EU, UN, california, censorship, communism, death penalty, elections, genocide, halliburton,...

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Demonstrators demanding the re-nationalization of hydrocarbons in Bolivia continue to protest today.Linda Farthing has more from La Paz. The Israeli government has released 400 imprisoned Palestinians as promised. Manar Jibreen reports from the International Middle East Media Center. Reportedly on the brink of a major economic collapse, Zimbabwe?s President Robert Mugabe says he welcomes food aid from the United Nations but refuses to formally ask for it.Haider Rizvi reports from the U.N.... Topics: EU, UN, brazil, bush, elections, india, israel, mexico, military, nuclear weapons, pakistan,...

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Egyptian police are now searching for six Pakistanis in connection with Saturday?s bombing of the Sharm Al Sheikh resort in the Sinai peninsula. The explosion killed 88 people, including 17 foreigners. Paul Schemm reports from Cairo. The leaders of two of the AFL-CIO's largest unions, the Teamsters and the Service Employees, have officially announced that they are leaving the labor federation. Other unions that have joined the dissident "Change to Win" Coalition may follow suit later... Topics: argentina, brazil, democratic party, elections, ethnic, india, iraq, nuclear power, oil, pakistan,...

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Chile's former dictator General Augusto Pinochet continues to face serious legal problems. The courts lifted the former dictator's immunity on yet another case of human rights crimes, Jorge Garretn has more from Santiago. Bolivia will hold early elections in December. It's an effort to stabilize the country that has caused two presidents to resign in the past 2 years. In recent months, pressure mounted on the government with protests from student, poor and indigenous groups who demanded... Topics: NSA, al-qaeda, bush, death penalty, elections, india, iraq, israel, lebanon, military, pakistan,...

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Bolivia?s President offered a major concession todemonstrators who are calling for the re-nationalization of the country?s resources.Linda Farthing has more from La Paz. Chile's center-left government signs another so-called free trade agreement with countries around the globe. From Jorge Garretn explains. A leaked copy of a report from the group that monitors human rights in Europe is highly critical of the Britishgovernment. From London, Naomi Fowler has some of the details in advance. An... Topics: EU, UN, elections, france, iraq, kurds, mexico, military, rights

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Unrest continues in Sudan's capital Khartoum following the death of the country's vice president in a helicopter crash over the weekend. At least 130 people have been killed in three days of violence despite a call for calm from all sides including Jesica Nyandeng Garang, the widow to the late Dr John Garang. Joshua Kyalimpa reports The United States will transfer Afghan detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Afghanistan. An agreement between the two countries was made today. The... Topics: FEMA, afghanistan, argentina, bush, detainees, elections, india, iraq, israel, military, palestine,...

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Hurricane Rita has become a category 4 hurricane as it inches towards the Mexico or Texas or Louisiana coasts. Evacuation efforts are underway in Galveston, Houston, and those left in New Orleans. But as Renee Feltz reports from KPFT in Houston, some people may not be able to leave. Protests in an Indian north western province by indigenous people or tribals as they are locally known are heading toward a major showdown against the Indian government. Binu Alex reports. The largest armed group in... Topics: california, democratic party, elections, federal government, hurricane, india, islam, katrina,...

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Leaked documents have shed new light on how Brazilian immigrant Jean Charles de Menezes was shot dead by plain clothes officers, one day after the failed London bombings in July. Helen Kelly has more from London. Chile's military dictatorship era constitution is a thing of the past. Congress approved major constitutional reforms removing undemocratic provisions left over by former dictator Augusto Pinochet. Jorge Garretn has more from Santiago. Series of explosions rocked 50 cities of... Topics: brazil, bush, california, china, dance, india, iraq, israel, military, oil, palestine, pentagon,...

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SADDAM DEFENSE TEAM BOYCOTTS TRIAL A secret burial was held today for the Iraqi trial lawyer who was gunned down yesterday in Baghdad. Adil al-Zubeidi is the second defense attorney murdered from the legal team in the Saddam Hussein trial. After Zubeidi's burial, the defence team announced they no longer recognize the jurisdiction of the court and will now refuse to participate in the trial's proceedings. CHALABI VISITS WASHINGTON Iraq's deputy prime minister Ahmed Chalabi is in Washington DC,... Topics: 9-11, EU, NATO, brazil, bush, california, detainees, elections, federal government, france, india,...

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WTO ROUND IN HONG KONG The 6th ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization is set to open tomorrow in Hong Kong. Both police and protesters are preparing for mass mobilizations. Aaron Glantz reports from Hong Kong. RACE RIOTS IN SYDNEY In Australia, street violence has continued into a second day after race riots erupted yesterday at a beach in Sydney. Cinnamon Nippard has the story. About 5000 white Australians from Cronulla and further afield gathered at the beach chanting racist... Topics: FEMA, UN, WTO, elections, india, islam, israel, labor movement, mexico, military, palestine,...

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The European Union softens its stance on Iran over its nuclear program in an effort to appease Russia and China, who oppose reporting Iran to the United Nation's Security Council. The new draft resolution criticizes Iran's nuclear activity, but postpones reporting Iran to the Security Council until a later date. The previous, tougher resolution, which is still an option requests that the UN nuclear watchdog, the International atomic Energy Agency report Iran during this session. Iran claims... Topics: EU, NATO, bush, china, elections, environment, hurricane, iran, israel, katrina, mexico, nigeria,...

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South Koreans Protest APEC Several thousand South Koreans, many of them rice farmers, demonstrated at the two-day summit of the Asia-Pacifica Economic Cooperation in Busan. The summit is an attempt to restart talks on free trade agreements in the region. Demonstrators clashed with police who used water cannons to drive the protesters back. Many of the rice farmers say that free trade would be a death blow to their industry and livelihood. South Korea Partial Withdrawal from Iraq Meanwhile, the... Topics: FEMA, NATO, california, death penalty, elections, iran, iraq, john kerry, korea, military, new...

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NALCHIK SEIGE ENDS Fighting has ended been Russian troops and Chechen rebels in the city of Nalchik. After a prolonged exchange of gunfire and a hostage situation, Russian authorities say they have regained complete control of the town. Rebel fighters attacked a number of strategic police stations and government buildings in Nalchik on Thursday. Over 100 people - including civilians, police and rebels - are said to have died in the fighting. ASYLUM RULING A landmark legal decision has found the... Topics: 9-11, EU, NATO, NGO, avian flu, disease, environment, ethnic, highschool, hurricane, immigration,...

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HARIRI ASSASSINATION REPORT A United Nations team of investigators submitted their findings today in the case of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Hariri was killed in February by a massive car bomb in Beirut. A number of powerful Syrian officials were interviewed during the investigation and many suspect some sort of Syrian involvement in Hariri's murder. The report will not be made public until the UN Security Council has had a chance to review it. GUARDIAN... Topics: NATO, UN, amazon, avian flu, brazil, bush, detainees, drug companies, elections, epidemic, federal...

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RIOTS STILL RAGE IN PARIS France's government presented a new plan for neglected low-income areas today after 11 nights of urban unrest. Tony Cross reports from Paris. Chirac, who's been practically silent since the unrest began, said that the police will take tougher action ... but that measures will be taken to ensure justice and equal opportunities. After he spoke, more than one-thousand-400 vehicles were set ablaze, 30 police were attacked, some of them by shots from air-rifles, and 395... Topics: argentina, brazil, bush, california, detainees, elections, france, india, iraq, islam, military,...

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London's daily mirror broke an explosive story today: the paper says transcripts of conversations between u.s. president george bush and british prime minister tony blair in april 2004 show bush wanted to bomb the headquarter offices of arab satellite television station al jazeera. Al Jazeera's facilities have been hit by U.S. forces before: In 2001 Al Jazeera's office in Kabul suffered a direct hit during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan; In November 2002, the same office was destroyed by a US... Topics: EU, FEMA, afghanistan, attorney general, bush, democratic party, elections, environment, hurricane,...

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FISA JUDGE RESIGNS A federal judge from the 11-member Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has resigned. This comes amid revelations that the Bush administration authorized the National Security Agency to carry out surveillance of Americans without warrants. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance court was set up to regulate government surveillance of suspected foreign agents. Although Judge James Robertson has not publicly commented on the reasons behind his resignation, the Washington Post... Topics: NSA, bush, cheney, china, democratic party, elections, environment, iraq, mexico, new orleans,...